Deathstroke #50 - "Terminator" [series finale]

[laughing_tree]

The whole alternate Deathstroke business in the run-up to the finale was fun; a tried-and-perhaps-tired trope that nevertheless felt fresh to me at least. With Alt-Deathstroke, I was allowed to write Deathstroke the way the character should be written if we actually took him seriously -a ruthless, heartless, despicable killer. Now, I don’t know if that Deathstroke could sustain his own book, but it was my plan for our Slade to lose his life (again) in their climactic battle, and for Alt to become the official Deathstroke of the DCU. But, nnoooo, the House of Nice... -- Christopher J. Priest

Comments

[matrix_dragon]

Alt-Deathstroke being Slade supposedly written seriously is kind of hilarious. As little as I like normal Slade, a version with any 'redeeming' qualities or interesting features filed away is just boring.

[locuatico]

eh. I do kinda agree with him that this is probably the kind of person Slade would be if he was real.

And like he says, such a character would probably not be able to sustain his own book, which is the reason why the character of Slade is not like that in the first place.

[nyadnar17]

He would also be dead fairly quickly. Slade's "peculiar set of ethics" is the only reason he is still alive.

As impressive as Slade even, even Priest Uber take on the character would have died 10 times over, if the people around him didn't see any redeeming qualities.

Its actually kinda of weird for Priest to assume the world would treat Alt-Deathstroke the same way they treat Slade.

[magicrubbish]

This. This comment so much. Agree with every thing you said and frankly jealous that you could put it together in such a succinct and precise manner every thing that I want to say in this matter.

[tcampbell1000]

Yeah, that sums it up really nicely.

[matrix_dragon]

Said it better than I did, thanks.

[zachbeacon]

"even Priest Uber take on the character would have died 10 times over"

Eh, a healing factor goes a long way toward handwaving that one.

It isn't as ridiculous as the Joker still being alive.

[silverhammerman]

I'm surprised that Priest would have wanted to end his series by having his main character killed and replaced by, as others have pointed out, a less interesting version of the character.

I guess wanting a version of the character who is more explicitly irredeemable tracks with his statements on wanting to write Deathstroke as a villain, but this series was built around Deathstroke's incredibly broken approach to emotional intimacy. His own series is proof that Deathstroke is more interesting with all of the elements he claims to have wanted to get rid of.

That said, I did rather like old man Alt-Deathstroke and his whole Darth Vader outfit, I wouldn't mind seeing the mainstream Deathstroke adopt some of that style. And Deathstroke ending the series by bailing in the middle of Thanksgiving dinner after claiming that he was definitely for real retiring this time is hilariously on brand.

[tcampbell1000]

So, to sum up:

Christopher Priest the scriptwriter: Enjoy this elaborate chess match between my intelligent antihero and his intelligent antagonists, all of whom I treat with respect and artistry.

Christopher Priest the commentator: MY OC--I MEAN MARV, MARV'S OC--CAN KILL EVERYONE IN THIS AND ANY OTHER IMAGINARY UNIVERSE, AND ANYONE WHO DOESN'T SEE THAT IS A FOOL.

[magicrubbish]

Lol again I agree. Some times I feel like different persons are doing the writing and commentaries, with no notes shared.